Roy Nelson Not Surprised Shane Carwin Pulled Out of Their Fight

Most of the MMA world was shocked when Shane Carwin was forced out of Saturday’s scrap against Roy Nelson (Pictured), but not “Big Country.” Nelson claims he was anticipating Carwin’s exit since the beginning because it has become somewhat of a routine for the former UFC interim heavyweight champion.

“I figured Shane was probably going to pull out of the fight,” Nelson shared during Monday’s conference call. “This is not the first time he’s done it. I just didn’t know when or where that was actually going to happen.”

From an injury standpoint, Carwin can’t seem to catch a break. The 37-year-old is coming off back-to-back back surgeries that nixed most of his 2012 campaign. He is now forced to rehab a blown knee.

Carwin hasn’t been seen inside the Octagon since losing a unanimous decision to now-champ Junior dos Santos in a top contender contest at UFC 131 in June 2011.

Nelson and Carwin were bitter rivals before serving as opposing coaches on “The Ultimate Fighter 16,” and their relationship didn’t get any better during their stint on the reality show. Nelson now faces Matt Mitrione in Saturday’s featured contest.

He compares “Meathead” to a poor man’s Alistair Overeem.

“For the preparation of fighting Matt versus Shane, he’s definitely a different opponent,” Nelson expressed. “One guy’s southpaw, one guy’s orthodox. Matt, I think, is definitely training at a better camp than Shane Carwin. I’m getting the light version of Alistair Overeem from Matt Mitrione.”